Sunday Ride - May 7th 2006 - An Idea!

I received this from Mal earlier in the week - he got it from the Weekly Times newspaper. An interesting idea for the ride day on Sunday.

The Queenscliff ferry leaves at 10am and on the return journey departs Sorrento every hour up to 6pm. Cost is $48 return for passenger and bike.

Talbot Weekend in June 06

For those of you that were at the monthly meeting last Thursday night at the Wharfshed you'll know that there's a week-end trip to Talbot planned for Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th June. Those that have been on previous trips will remember the warm hospitality offered by Kyle and his Mum Annie at the Courthouse Hotel. Leigh has spoken to Kyle and he only has 3 rooms available - two with a double & single bed and one with a double and two singles. If you want to book get in quick as rooms won't last long and it's first come first served.
There's also another hotel at Carisbrook about 7kms away and Kyle from the Courthouse knows the owner so can arrange accommodation there too. For anyone staying at this hotel Kyle has offered a pickup & drop off service on Saturday night for those that want to have dinner and a drink at his hotel in Talbot.
Contact Kyle on 03 5463 2204 to book accommodation at the hotels.

There's also:

1. Chesterfield House Garden Villas, 2 Ballarat St, North Talbot VIC 3371 Telephone: (03) 5463 2363

2. Saddlers Cottage - http://www.saddlerscottage.com/ Tel 03 5463 2330

3. Eany Farm Bed & Breakfast & Cottage - Majorca - Talbot Road, Majorca, Phone: (03) 5464 7267 (three bedrooms in main house and cottage sleeps five)

4. Talbot Caravan Park - Phone 5463 2515

This is also the weekend of the Farmers Market in Talbot so lots happening & plenty of fresh food to sample & take home - http://www.ballarat.com/talbot/farmers_market.htm and remember the observatory is just across the road from the pub for midnight star gazing!

Contact Leigh for more info. on the trip - Tel 52593653

Geelong RAT wins award at the All British Rally

Well it was a great turnout for the annual pilgrimage to the All British Rally in Newstead. About 11 RATs turned up at the Wharfshed and all but 3 were packed with sleeping bags and tents ready for a big week-end of camp-fires, sing-alongs and maybe even a beer ot two!
The previous few nights had been wet and wild but on Saturday morning it was blue skies and high spirits as the Trumps pulled away from the Wharfshed.
It was the first time most of us had travelled through the Brisbane Ranges since the bush fires & it felt ghostly. Where once there had been dense bushland there was black charcoaled trees. The good news is they are showing new life already with little shoots of greenery growing from the blackened branches. We talked about it later and thought how much easier it made the road to ride as we could see through corners where once there had been dense scrub & bush.
We arrived at our usual bakery stop in Ballan and it was coffees and cakes all round. There were lots of bikes on the road and we were joined by a guy from Geelong on a Triumph Speedmaster - keeping PJ company!
After warming up with a coffee it was on to Newstead via Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. Great roads but in one spot a nighmare with loose gravel & roadworks - can't have it all I suppose!
As we got closer to Newstead we got the occasional glimpse of a BSA or a Norton on the road, their riders sitting on them proudly, giving them a quick test run after making adjustments to the carbie.
Approaching the campsite I was amazed to see so many tents, cars & bikes on the hillside where the rally is held each year. This was the 30th Rally so bike enthusiasts had really come out in full support.
It looked like a well oiled operation as the tents were unfolded, camping stoves assembled and a camp fire lit - though I was a bit concerned about the ex-digger that couldn't get the fire lit!
It was a great site and with the fire going it was really cosy. A quick ride into Maldon for lunch and a walk about to look at those old classics - they looked like they'd just left the showroom.

There was a new Triumph Daytona looking sad and I heard it was in a collision with a Speed Triple on Friday night.

Then it was back to the campsite where Martin, Mick and myself said farewell and rode back to Geelong via Creswick & Ballarat. It was a bloody cold ride home and there were times when I wished I was sitting by that log fire.
Later I heard that it was a great night and everyone had a merry time.

Then the big news - Paul won the best post 1988 Triumph Twin award with the Thruxton - Congratulations mate.

See you at the Wharfshed on Thursday night - 27th April @ 7pm

All British Rally - 22-23 April 2006 - 9am Sat departure

Well it's that time of year when we remember the bravery on the beaches of Gallipoli and the week-end starts with the All British Rally in Newstead. This year the rally is taking place over Saturday and Sunday but there's at least one enthusiastic RAT I know that's heading up there on Friday night!

Anyway, a group of RATs are departing Geelong on Saturday morning (22nd April) from the Wharfshed Cafe at 9:00 am and making the trip to Newstead via the usual route of Ballan, Daylesford & Hepburn Springs.

For those that have never been to the event before it's a great show of vintage British motorcycles and the characters that ride them. I've heard it's going to be about 16 C on Saturday with rain so make sure you take the thermals and the -10 sleeping bag if you're intending to stay the night.

PJ also told me he's bringing a car so if anyone needs stuff they can't carry on the bike he says they're more than welcome to throw it in.

**Photos provided by Mick (red sprint)

Sunday 9th April 06 Ride Day

It looked like it was going to be an average day from a weather point of view when we all gathered at the Wharfshed for the April Ride Day. Nine bikes and 12 RATs rocked up for the ride with another two that couldn't come along popping in to say hello & wave us off. Then the first dilemma, do we stick to the plan and ride to Ballarat for lunch and have the calendar planning session or go to the motorcycle show & shine being held at Riddells Creek. Anyway, we decided to stick to plan and ride to Ballarat via Inverleigh, Shelford and Rokewood. We would also meet Mal & Cheryl on the way and Rod & Shirley in Ballarat at the Grapes Pub. Getting out of Geelong had it's usual dramas with lots of traffic but once out on to the Hamilton Highway the coast was clear for a cruise to Inverleigh.
Just after Inverleigh there's a little road that cuts through a valley to Shelford. It's usually an amazing little road for bikes with great visibility & awesome corners. It was still as good as ever for me out front but not so good for those behind -my back wheel was ripping up & throwing loose gravel at the bikes coming behind! I wondered why they were backing off...
The ride from Shelford to Rokewood was boring & straight but we cruised along at a reasonable pace. We had just stopped in Rokewood when we were joined by Cheryl & Mal on the TT & Trident. It was time for a coffee and we pulled up at a lonely little Milk Bar where the owner looked slightly nervous as 14 bikers started rolling in looking for coffee, tea, egg & bacon rolls and hot cross buns!
Now with a total of 11 bikes we headed for Ballarat and The Grapes Hotel. Leigh reckoned it was somewhere near Sovereign Hill but PJ was confident he knew the location and led us confidently to The North Star Hotel!! A quick chat to the barman and we were back on track - and it was close to Sovereign Hill after all. Rod & Shirley kept the Triumph theme going and rocked up in there beautiful little Triumph Herald - leaving the Bonnie & T'Bird at home for a change. Now with 11 bikes and a Herald and 16 RATs we sat down for a well-earned Sunday lunch.
The girls quickly volunteered to be in a photoshoot for next years calendar and we got a bit worried when PJ was volunteering for September! Anyway, I don't think they were too serious - or maybe the boys got the wrong idea about their outfits in the photos!!
Leigh was a champion and managed to control the rowdy crowd as he persisted to get ideas and document a draft calendar for the rest of the year. A couple of trips were included to The Grampians, Marysville and Talbot.
A couple of RATs are also doing some research on a Tassie trip next year and will bring details to the next monthly meeting.
As soon as Leigh has all details for the calendar confirmed a copy will be dstributed at the monthly meeting.
The ride back to Geelong was via the Midland Hwy to Meredith and then cutting off through the twisting road via Steiglitz and the Brisbane Ranges. Once again some safety concerns as several of the group got left behind and the lead riders waited at the junction with Anakie Road for the others. Again the importance of having a more experienced tail end rider to account for all riders at the back was highlighted.

It was a good day even though we didn't get to the show & shine - maybe next time.

Worlds Fastest Indian - Reading Cinema Tonight

If you want to go to the movies tonight (Friday 7th April) & see the latest movie - Worlds Fastest Indian, then you might not be alone. There's a few of the guys heading over to Reading Cinemas in Waurn Ponds tonight for the 6.45 session

Quick Update - March 06

Monthly Meeting
The Monthly Meeting has come round again and is on Thursday night (30th March) at the Wharfshed Cafe.

Next Ride Day
The next ride day is on Sunday 9th April leaving the Wharfshed at 9:30am. An idea is to have a short morning ride to Ballarat via Stieglitz & Brisbane Ranges and then lunch at The Grapes Hotel where we can discuss the calendar for the rest of the years outings. So if you've any ideas or thoughts on rides/weekends away let them be known so they can be included.

Worlds Fastest Indian - pre-screening at Reading
Mick (red Sprint) has made some enquiries with Reading Cinemas about pre-screenings for the The Worlds Fastest Indian which starts showing next week. Reading Cinemas in Waurn Ponds are having a pre-screening on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 1:30pm. Anyone fancy an afternoon at the flicks? We'll have a chat at the Wharfshed meeting to work out a time that suits most people.

Get Up, Stand Up!

We all know that the current Victorian Govt. has treated motorcycle riders with nothing less than contempt. They introduced wire barriers that have been banned in other states, make us pay an extra $50 levy each year (gone up to $54 this year), want to introduce front number plates and are now planning to make lane splitting illegal!!

So, early on Saturday morning several Geelong RATs met at the Corio Roadhouse to make the trip to Melbourne to take part in the anti-levy rally and keep the red flag flying!! Six of us on 4 bikes started off and on the way we were joined by Mal & Cheryl on the Trident. Once in the city & the bikes safely parked in Elizabeth St, we all followed Pete to Melbourne Central for a hearty breakfast at Mee.Too Cafe.
A quick tour of the Peter Stevens shop and a perv at the new Daytona 675 - looks even better in the flesh! I know at least one RAT that's got it in her shopping basket!! The gold Speed Triple upstairs took the attention of another RAT so all in all it might have been an expensive visit for a couple of people...

The bikes were gathering enmasse as it approached lunchtime and the kick off at 12:30pm. Sitting in a cafe balcony on Elizabeth St we had a grandstand view of the action. The police looked like they were expecting trouble with 4 police cars & motorbike outriders parked on standby - and it was with good reason as PJ rocked up with his mate Yogi looking for a riot!!

We all signed the petition and at 12:30 we were off. It was all a bit disorganised and I wondered why the police had even bothered to show up as they did nothing to assist with traffic or the congestion as 500 motorcycles tried to get down Latrobe St in front of trams, other road users and pedestrians - maybe they were only there to see if they could collect more revenue for Bracks to pay for the Commonwealth Games fireworks ($50m)!

Anyway, we headed out past the tennis centre and MCG giving the Games spectators something wothwhile to look at - and it was free! Those girls outside the Rod Laver Arena trying to sell us Games Programs were ambitious!
The rally ended in Hawthorn and there were speeches from Motorcycle lobby groups that came from NSW and Tasmania - both had the impression that the transport minister here is a w..ker! Glad I'm not the only one that thinks it (just spend a week travelling Vline to Melbourne if you don't believe me)!! Denis Napthine made a pledge to fight the rope barriers and the levy & we were all encouraged to make our votes do the talking at the next State election.

After the rally we decided to head for Williamstown and lunch so it was off out on to City Link and over the West Gate via the Domain tunnel. PJ was still itching for a fight when we sat down for lunch but the serenity of the city by the bay quickly took effect - or so we thought!

As we rested in the park before the trip home a wedding party approached from the south! Quickly PJ gave his congratulations and told them he wanted the second bridesmaid from the left! Then the bride spotted a bike that was the same colour as her bridesmaids dresses and her shoes! "I want that one"! The nuclear red (some think its pink) Speed Triple quickly rolled into action to the thrill of the bride & groom. The photographer lined them up and the shots were taken - that Speed Triple will be bringing back happy memories for many years - the bride even told Pete to let her know if he ever wanted to sell it!
Well it wasn't the most exciting ride up the freeway but the company made it a great day and the cause was very worthwhile. It was good to see Ash back in the saddle too.

Catch you all at the next Wharfshed meeting on Thursday 30th March.

Motorcycle Levy (Bracks Govt) Protest Ride

RATs are departing from the Corio Roadhouse at 8am on Saturday morning to support the protest against the Victorian Govt's motorcycle levy which increases this year to $53.90.

Information from netrider.net.au website:

To the end of June 2005 approximately $10.6 million was raised from the levy.

It is expected riders will flood Melbourne's CBD on Saturday as part of a statewide rally calling on the State Government to abolish a $53.90 motorcycle registration safety levy.

The protest ride, on Saturday, March 18th, is to travel from Elizabeth Street in the City, with riders to gather from 10am. Riders will leave from Elizabeth Street at 12:30pm with Member of Parliament, Denis Napthine, riding as a pillion, to the VACC Motorcycle Industry Forum in Hawthorn where a petition against the safety levy will be presented to Mr. Napthine.

No other motor vehicle in Victoria pays an additional levy. The Motorcycle Safety Level Program was introduced in 2002 at a cost of $50 to provide funding for road safety programs.

Daytona Dave is 40!!!

Believe it or not - the young Daytona Dave is turning 40 this week and wants you all to help him get over the line with a Barbie and a few beers.

Venue - Dave's place in Torquay on Saturday 18th March (day after St Paddy's Day!) - bring your own drinks & food.

If you've got Dave's number give him a call otherwise send me an e-mail and I'll send you back details of venue etc.

Remember to leave your bike at home...

Sunday Ride Day - 5th March 06

Ride report by Cheryl:

With at least nine regular RATS scattered to the four winds (in Northern Victoria, Adelaide, Tasmania and Philip Island) only three bikes turned out at the Wharf Shed on Sunday. After some discussion it was decided to take a leisurely ride around the Bellarine Peninsula.
A minor detour saw Geoff lead us down the Pt Henry road to try out the corners - must have been that ride on the Rocket III on that road that inspired him. Paul managed to avert disaster when the Thruxton was hit with a dose of the speed wobbles – I suggested he check the nut that appeared to be loose on the rider’s seat!
A coffee stop at Dave and Jane’s and some gentle pushing saw them join us on the leg to Queenscliff - with Jane riding Effie.

Lunch at Queenscliff was followed by the scenic route to Ocean Grove. Geoff and Paul carried on towards Barwon Heads whilst Dave, Jane and I cut back across to Drysdale.
A farewell toot at the roundabout and we went our separate ways.

In essence a short ride out but a very pleasant one.

Triumph 675 - awesome web site!

If you're into the new 675 - or even if you're not, you should check out the AJ Hutchinson Racing website. For those that have broadband you have to check out the videos & listen to that bike sing - it almost whistles!
AJ Hutchinson is a 23 year old Irish rider thats competing in the Super Sport 600 this year on the new 675.
Also make sure you check out the race report and the video - it will make you want one!!
You can also sign the guestbook and wish him good luck for 2006.

Ride Day - 5th Feb 06 - Flowerdale

It was a great day for a ride with the temperature predicted to be about 25 and 11 bikes turing up at the Wharfshed for the start of an eventful day. A few ideas tossed around and we all settled on our destination - the Flowerdale Hotel for lunch via Gisbourne, Kilmore & Strath Creek.
As we headed into the Bacchus March Road a bikers nightmare loomed ahead - roadworks laying bitumen! Some took a detour while others rode on hoping that the tar wasn't going to go everywhere - in the end it wasn't that bad. It was a shame that Mal & Cheryl had to ride all the way back the way they had just rode in the morning to join the group. We were soon aware that Daytona Dave was back when he shot past to take the lead setting a quick & steady pace to our first stop.
We arrived in Gisbourne and it was packed with market day in full swing. A parking spot by the cricket pitch and then it was off for the morning caffiene fix. After a quick stretch it was on to our destination - Flowerdale. It was a good ride through Kilmore & over the freeway on to the Strath Creek Road - that's where the real biking roads start. The twisties all the way through the mountains make the long ride form Geelong worthwhile...

We reached the Flowerdale Pub in time for lunch and there was already a good few bikers there. It's a great pub that's frequently visited by bikers and I was told by the barman that there's an All British ride that goes from Melbourne and stops at the pub every November - needs to go on the calander!
It was a relaxing afternoon spent under the trees in the beer garden and it was good to have Lucy & Mark & Anne along for their first ride with the group.

After a great lunch (awesome sticky date pudding) it was time to mount up and follow Mick to Whittlesea for a refuel. The plan then was to ride via Bulla and Diggers Rest to Bacchus Marsh. It was a steady ride from Whittlesea and as we approached Bulla we passed a carpark packed with people and ice cream vans. Then we could see why - a Virgin Blue passenger jet was approaching at about 500 ft - it looked like we could wave to the passengers! The car park was right at the end of the runway approach to Melbourne airport. I'm definitely heading back there with a camera on my next day off!
As we left Bulla we passed through a couple of good sweepers and then a sign indicated a single lane bridge. The approach to the bridge was very tight and downhill - the road was badly torn up and I felt the Sprint bounce slightly as the back break locked the back wheel on the corrigated bitumen. With a bit of careful manouvering I was through it but at the time I thought "what a bastard". Riding on we got to Diggers Rest and suddenly only Geoff was behind me. Geoff & I turned back to find the others while Mick rode on with Pete and Dave. At the last junction we waited but no sign of anyone & even a few phone calls didn't get any answer - we feared the worst... Then they appeared with Malcolm leading the way - all looked okay so we headed on our way to Bacchus Marsh where we all stopped for a quick refreshment and a stretch.
Then we heard the bad news - Mark & Anne had fallen victim to that "bastard" bridge! They were okay and the bike had survived with minimal damage dispite sliding down the road with Mark under it. Anne had been thrown off too but was okay. Being veteran bikers with old war wounds from previous bike spills they were reasonably calm about the whole incident. It was a shame really as we all had a great day but was lucky as it could have been a lot worse. We said our goodbyes to Mal & Cheryl and headed on our way back home to Geelong.
We learn heaps about our ability and about the handling and capability of these great bikes every time we get on them but there's always a bend or twist waiting to catch us out. No one wants to start riding with fluro jackets but maybe we just need some simple guidelines to make it safer for us all - especially in a big group - something to think about. Look forward to another good ride in March - hopefully incident free next time!

Links to Spain

I received an e-mail from Catalan Sports Bikes which is a motorcycle tour business based in Spain run by two British ex-pats Mark & Farokh . They have a great website - definitely worth a look and they've also added a link on their website to the Geelong RAT Blog.
Check it out - there's heaps of info and some great photos & video of their tours - when are we going!

Long & Windng Road has a sting!

Warning!
Be careful of you are riding on the Great Ocean Road. There’s been a big blitz recently by the Bracks Revenue Collectors and I know of at least 2 riders that have lost their license. Remember its 80km/hr speed limit now and being 25+ over is a license suspension. It’s getting harder to go anywhere these days in Victoria without a speed camera up your arse!


Ride Day – Feruary 06
The next Ride Day for 2006 is on Sunday 5th February departing from the Wharfshed at 9:30 as usual. Not sure of the destination as yet but don’t think it will be the GO Road!

Bring along your ideas for rides/events for 2006.

2006 Here We Go Again!

FIRST RIDE OF 2006
Well, it's taken me this long to write about it but the memory of that first ride for 2006 is still firmly embedded in my mind. In fact it was probably one of the best rides I've been on for a while and probably because the Sprint was pillion free!
There was about 10 bikes that made the trip to Lavers Hill and then on to Apollo Bay and back via Deans Marsh with a stop off at the good ole Martians Cafe. The day had it's moments and it was a pisser that Mick ended up riding on to Apollo Bay as he didn't see us pull off the road for lunch in Lavers Hill - it's happened a couple of times where we've lost people at the back - maybe we all need to take turns at tail end charlie to make sure we all stay together.
I heard later that the police had a blitz on the Great Ocean Road on the same day so it was lucky we turned off at Lorne. It was great to catch up with Ollie at Martians - it sounded like we'd just missed Craig passing through as well.

LIASION WITH ALBURY RAT
I've been working in Albury/Wodonga for the most part of the last couple of weeks & took the opportunity to call in & meet the Albury Triumph Dealer & RAT Leader. I met Steve from Whitehouse Motorcycles & he told me that the RAT group were getting the Sunday rides organised & things were going well - they certainly have the weather for bikes - and the roads! He would welcome the riders from Geelong if they are up that way and said to call in or give him a call. The RAT Pack Leader is called Chris. So if you're ever going that way call in & say hello.

KEEP IT REAL!
There's been heaps of rumours going around about the future of Geelong RAT and the involvement from Peter Stevens. I didn't get to the meeting on Thursday 26th Jan at the Wharfshed but I have heard there's a lot of confusion & misunderstanding at to the way the changes have been introduced with no consultation with the current Geelong RAT group.
Apparantly no one from Peter Stevens was present to bring everyone up to date on the new arrangements so most people are still guessing. I actually got a calender and letter in the mail - must have been because I bought a new bike last year - there's some financial RAT members (paid up to April 06 - pre-freebie) that aren't amused as they didn't receive anything!! Anyway, I'm just gonna keep on riding and enjoying it - stuff the politics & complications - I get that every day at work!
I've been riding with the current group for the past 4 years and have certainly experienced some of the best motorcycling years of my life. They're the best bunch of people to be on the road with. Whats more, it's been great meeting some of the new people that have come along over the past 12 months -they have added even more value through their experiences, knowledge & their individual personalities. Eveyone just fits in - personally I hope it never changes...

SOUTHERN CLASSIC - PHILLIP ISLAND - Sunday 29th JAN 06
There's a few of the group planning to ride to Phillip Island on Sunday for the Southern Classic. Remember those GS1000s, 750 Fours and Z900s - well they're all there on the race track and I read in the MCN that Wayne Gardners getting back in the saddle for a burn.

Plan is to meet at the Corio Roadhouse at 7am for the ride to the island. If it's raining then it's doubtful of many will go - I've been on that island when it was pissing down at a Moto GP & it's not recommended...

FUTURE OF THIS BLOG
I've been a bit slack keeping it up to date lately but the Blog is definitely here to stay. It's not a Geelong RAT website but is instead a journal of my experiences and a way of communicating things of interest with all other Triumph riders out there. I will happily provide access to anyone that wants to get in & have a go. I hope it provides value and helps everyone that rides a Triumph, especially in & around Geelong.

What's happening in 2006?

Hope you all had a great Xmas break and are ready to get back on your bikes for another great year in 2006.

There wasn't any official bike riding activity over the Xmas break but there were a few RATs that got together for rides just before Xmas.
I rode up to Daylesford with Mark on the Speedmaster & met Mal & Cheryl on the way. We had lunch and then rode from Daylesford to Woodend via Hanging Rock and then on the Mt Macedon and then back via Gisbourne with a stop in the Irish pub in Bacchus March for a Guinness!
It was a great ride but the heat got the better of us as it was one of those 30+ days. It was a good circuit & one we all should do one day - especially the Irish pub... On the same day Mick and a few of the others rode over to Deans Marsh for lunch.

Thought it also worth mentioning - I received an excellent service from Darren at the Peter Stevens Workshop in Melbourne when I took the Sprint back for a warranty claim for the screen & tailight this week. He even followed up the next day with a call telling me the parts were ordered & he had discussed with Triumph Australia. Customer Service at its best!

Monthly Meeting
The monthly meeting on the 29th December 05 attracted a good crowd and sadly Geoff told us that the Triumph is getting traded for a Honda VTR. I'm sure he will be scraping his knees a bit more on one of those compared to the Bonnie! Leigh was there on the old Bonnie and Paul has made another mod to the Thruxton adding a swish set of pipes that he got imported from France - you can hear him coming for miles! Mark attended his first meeting on his new pride & joy Speedmaster.

RAT Changes
There is still some confusion abut the RAT changes and there are rumours that Peter Stevens want to take more control of the Geelong RAT group. No Peter Stevens representative was at the meeting so we are unsure of the agenda or what is planned for 2006. No calender has been produced as there is talk that this is something Peter Stevens want to own.

For those that don't get the Torque magazine the RAT membership is free for those that want to join - go to www.triumphmotorcycles.com then select RAT on the left menu bar.

There's also a survey happening to find out what Triumph RAT could do better - go to www.triumphmotorcycles.com/ratsurvey to complete the survey form.

It sounds like there are a lot of structural changes on the way in terms of group ownership and more involvement from Peter Stevens - we'll have to wait & see...

Next Ride Day
If the usual format continues then there is a ride day scheduled for Sunday 8th January 06 - first ride of the year. Meet at Wharfshed at 9am f0r a 9.30am start - see you there.

Hope you all have a Safe & Happy 2006

Xmas Toy Ride - 2005

All year long we pass each other like ships in the night - not a nod, wink or a glance gets exchanged. But on that one day in December, the Geelong Harley Owners Group welcomes bikes of all makes and sizes to ride with them in the annual Xmas Toy Ride.
It’s a great event and to see those bikes laden with toys makes you feel very privileged to belong to this very unique group of people. Credit must be given to the Geelong Chapter of HOG for their great enthusiasm and the organisation and effort involved in this great event.
As we lined up in Mercer Street it was eerie to see all the Triumphs that had come out of the woodwork – where had they all come from? The Triumph brand had the second largest display of bikes after Harley and yet only a small number of those were from the Geelong Group. Somehow it made us think about the Triumph RAT ideology - maybe we’re the last of a dying breed!
The loudhailer called us all to attention and gave us a quick briefing & an order to fire up our bikes & get on the starting grid. The noise of those Harleys firing up always makes the hairs stand and we were quickly jostling for position.
Then just as they do in the marathons - we were off! As we thundered thorough the centre of Geelong the Xmas shopping stopped briefly as traders and shoppers alike stopped to recognise the efforts of this mighty charitable machine.
Portarlington was our first stop and as we snaked our way through the suburbs on the way the support from the community on the road sides was inspiring. Families waved and clapped as we passed by – some even holding out toys for us to add to our collection. A shady tree was found for our first stop at Portarlington.
It must be the only time of the year that The Rebels and The Black Uhlans can be seen drinking in the same pub less than a few feet away from one another!

A short break and then it was off again around the Bellarine Peninsula and on to Queenscliff for lunch. Bruce was riding his Harley and was spotted at one of the roundabouts clearing the path for the procession of bikes. I don’t think many car drivers would want to try and get past him!
As we rode into Queenscliff it was heart-warming to see all the kids from “Cottage By the Sea” on the roadside excitedly waving and showing support. They were getting a preview of some of the toys & gifts they would be receiving from Santa! After all, how else would they get them if Santa’s little (some big ones too) helpers weren’t riding along giving him a hand! Only difference is – these reindeers have two wheels!
The Geelong Triumphs quickly found another shady tree and set up camp.
Walking around it was great to see some old faces.There was no luck in the ticket raffle and after a quick bite to eat we were off again – back to Geelong via Ocean Grove & Barwon Heads. As the Trumps pulled out through a back entrance we ended up merging with the leaders of the Toy Ride. There we were in the middle of a HOG Chapter with the Harleys and Triumphs riding side by side – a line of Harleys on the left and Triumphs on the right!

Back in Geelong the Trumps departed to their usual meeting place at the Wharfshed while the Harleys kept going to the Charles Hotham Hotel.
It was a relaxing end to the day, sitting outside the Wharfshed Cafe with drinks and good food, reflecting on the ways of the world and Triumph RAT - the Harley Owners Groups had given us an eye opener.

Maybe it was the sun, the heat of the day, fatigue or maybe the emotions stirred up on the ride, but the same question was on many minds… this blonde waitress chick ain’t really gonna take up Paul’s offer is she…!
Oh and one other thing I almost forgot – PJ came up with a great idea for raising money for charity next year – a nude calendar. So 12 willing participants required – better start pumping!!